NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34
Wherever you go, parachutes are not welcome.
There’s a 99% chance it’s some useless loaf who just got in, sucking on honey without any real skills or decent credentials.
Moreover, they’re likely to be a hindrance to my path and power.
However, when I first reported for duty as the treasurer, everyone from the Medici Clan warmly welcomed me.
“Young Lord Fabio, you’ve grown so much since we last met two years ago that I hardly recognized you.”
“It’s a blessing for the clan that the Young Baron has formed ties with the Count Farnese and that you’re thriving as well.”
“I must work hard to not show my ineptitude before you, Young Lord.”
Having only seen people plotting against me until now, it felt a bit awkward for a moment.
But I could truly feel the sincerity of our clan’s retainers welcoming me.
And upon reflection, I realized that I was a parachute, yes, but my abilities were certified, and my term was limited, so there was no chance of me touching their meal tickets.
Not welcoming me would be the odd thing.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“Didn’t you come to help our clan as treasurer? We should rush out barefoot to welcome you!”
If the incoming words are beautiful, then the outgoing ones must be too.
I mean, there’s a saying that a word can repay a thousand dollars, so I should definitely give a gift in return.
“This is a present for the treasurer. The finest seaweed harvested from my territory.”
To me, this was nothing special as a gift, but the treasurer received it as if it were a treasure, bowing deeply.
“Actually, my granddaughter is about to give birth, and I wanted to buy some seaweed to make soup for her. This will be perfect. My granddaughter and her husband will love it.”
“This soup will have even better effects if you add some garlic and dried fish.”
“Is that so?”
The treasurer’s face lit up with a bright smile.
The corners of his mouth seemed about to ascend to the heavens.
If I don’t give to other officials as well, I could be misunderstood as favoritizing the treasurer, so I should hurry and distribute some.
“Everyone, take a box each. While these are pricey, what’s there to hesitate in giving them to fellow colleagues serving the Medici Baron Clan?”
“Thank you, Young Lord.”
As soon as everyone received a box of seaweed, smiles spread across their faces and didn’t leave.
A box of 200 grams could buy a pretty decent house, no exaggeration. It’s only natural they’d be overjoyed.
Then, Albert, the head of our baron’s retainers, lifted the mood.
“I understand everyone is excited because Young Lord Fabio is here, but we’re not here just to chat, are we? Let’s save the catching up for later and get to business first.”
At Albert’s words, everyone took their seats.
The bubbly atmosphere from just moments before vanished without a trace, replaced by seriousness.
“Young Lord Fabio, what do you think about the current situation in our Medici Clan Territory as the treasurer?”
To be honest, from the perspective of the Toscan Empire, there weren’t many problems besides the debt accrued from the wedding.
However, if I looked at it from a detached point of view, I noticed quite a few problems.
Uniform tax rates applied regardless of whether goods were expensive or cheap, and artisans were required to pay in kind instead of cash, among others.
There were several pre-modern and inefficient systems at play.
I would love to point out these issues, but…
I’m just a ‘temporary’ treasurer after all.
I was ordered to resolve issues, but it’d be wise not to touch on too fundamental matters.
“First and foremost, the most urgent problem is resolving the 8,000 gold coins borrowed for the wedding of the Count Farnese’s daughter and the Baron. The interest rate set is ridiculously high due to the rush in borrowing the money.”
Even if money is needed urgently, a 50% interest rate is outrageous.
That means every year, excluding the principal, 4,000 gold coins in interest is added. If the borrower applies ‘compound interest,’ the repayment amount will balloon like a snowball.
So most nobles are too afraid to repay such debts and offer various favors to merchants they borrowed from.
They might provide political backing or complain that they need knight titles and then grant them those titles, among other things…
If the situation worsens further, they might even interfere in internal affairs.
So, while the tycoons might not have titles, they’d look down on most nobles openly.
If we don’t want to end up like that, we must first clear the debts.
While it seems unnecessary to state an obvious problem, viewed from the other side, it is indeed serious enough for everyone to notice.
“Therefore, it would be wise to sell all useless art pieces and jewelry in the clan and reduce the debt as much as possible.”
At those words, the expressions of everyone in attendance darkened.
The idea of selling the clan’s artworks meant that the Medici Clan would have to implement austerity measures.
In 21st century Korea, austerity measures might lead to voluntary retirements and bonus cuts at most…
While retainers like those here aren’t subject to dismissal, as part of a ‘national economic policy,’ there might be a recovery of tangible assets.
Though I was happy to be welcomed, suggesting I want to take their money is naturally unappealing.
I bet everyone wishes to oppose this decision deep down.
Yet the treasurer who received the seaweed sighed and spoke.
“If necessary, our Stefano Clan can provide 120 gold coins.”
The legal officer seated across shook his head.
“I don’t think it’s quite that dangerous yet. Isn’t this a bit hasty?”
My words, having proven my financial management abilities in upper management, carried real authority.
Moreover, I was here with the full authority of my ‘Father,’ who is effectively Albert’s superior, which further solidified my standing.
So, it would be awkward for everyone to oppose…
“I think there’s a misunderstanding. There won’t be any additional taxes levied on the retainers or commoners because of this wedding. If we do that, it will diminish the meaning of the Baron’s wedding received with everyone’s congratulations.”
The splendid wedding was a choice made by the Medici Clan. Should the cost be borne by the retainers and townsfolk?
Bards, the medieval equivalent of journalists, could spread the word across the nation as soon as they hear it.
Even aside from that, it’s clear that the public sentiment in our territory would worsen.
“So, it’s important to sell artworks to extinguish the immediate fires and increase financial income by ramping up spice trade.”
This isn’t a groundbreaking idea.
Anyone associated with the Medici Clan could suggest increasing spice trade for revenue enhancement.
“Young Lord, spice trade indeed brings substantial profits. By expanding the scale of trade, we can earn more money; however, this trade operates under an implicit agreement among the tycoons of the Toscan Empire. Increasing imports without permission would lead to serious clashes.”
I’m not unaware of that.
Yet, looking at the guild and tycoons…
From a modern perspective, the tacit agreements among tycoons to confine themselves to their territories are frankly quite inefficient.
“If we’re caught, there will be clashes. So, don’t we need to do some ‘smuggling’? We’ll use the name of the Medici Clan when we ship, but sell it under the name of an ‘unknown clan’ elsewhere.”
Just like in the Age of Discovery.
Trade meant smuggling back then.
In fact, Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India. He was enraged when they wouldn’t trade spices for the junk they offered and introduced cannon fire and death as a gift instead to take the spices.
That was the spice trade at the beginning of the Age of Discovery.
So does the Toscan Empire really need to trade honorably?
“If the tycoons are made to suspect each other, we can naturally evade being suspects ourselves. As long as we don’t get caught, we won’t face any backlash.”
When conflicts arise without any tangible evidence, the one who planned the discord first can slip away from the ‘line of suspects’ quickly.
“We need to pay off our debts. And I, having received full authority from my Father, will carry this trade out as the treasurer.”
While executing trade as the treasurer, I’ll also build connections in that area…
I should also create pipelines for smuggling things other than spices.
That’s why I’m putting my life on the line for the financial reconstruction of the Medici Clan.
“What do you think about my proposal?”
Albert nodded.
“Young Lord, you have already built an enormous business in under a year with just a handful of gold coins. And what you suggested is not illogical at all. As long as we don’t get caught, everything should work fine… which happens to be a specialty of our Medici Clan’s merchant fleet.”
In a world without radar or satellite surveillance, deceiving eyes is not all that difficult.
That’s how damned pirates are able to thrive.
“Do you have anything else you’d like to say as the treasurer?”
There is one thing.
“I do think the taxes imposed on serfs are too high. But that’s outside my jurisdiction, so I won’t bring it up.”
“Understood. Then we will treat you today. You can start work from tomorrow.”
One of the crucial tasks I need to undertake now is to create a better impression among the retainers of the Medici Baron Clan.
That way, even if my brother brings up acting against me, the retainers will oppose him.
Over the next few days, I prepared the tasks I needed to fulfill as the treasurer and arranged the trade with the pagans before setting sail.